Navigation (Fire Appliances) Regulations (Cth)

STATUTORY RULES.

1935. No. 88.

 

REGULATIONS UNDER THE NAVIGATION ACT 1912-1934.*

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Navigation Act 1912-1934.

Dated this eleventh day of September 1935.

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

For Minister of State for Commerce.

 

NAVIGATION (FIRE APPLIANCES) REGULATIONS.

Part I.— Preliminary.

Short title

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Navigation (Fire Appliances) Regulations.

Parts.

2. These Regulations are divided into Parts, as follows:—

Part I.—Preliminary.

Part II.—Classification of Ships.

Part III.—Equipment of Ships with Fire Appliances.

Division 1.—General.

Division 2.—Sea-going Steamships and Motor Ships.

Division 3.—Sea-going Sailing Ships.

Division 4.—Small Motor Ships plying in smooth water or rivers or estuaries.

Division 5.—River Murray Steamships.

Part IV.—Miscellaneous.

Commencement.

3. These Regulations shall commence on the thirty-first day of October, 1935.

Repeal.

4. Part VII. of the Navigation (Life-saving and Fire Appliances) Regulations, being Statutory Rules 1925, No. 50, as amended by Statutory Rules 1925, No. 86, is repealed.

 

* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on , 1935.

5711.—15/30.1.1935.—Price 8d.

Definitions.

5. In these Regulations, unless the contrary intention appears—

“approved” means approved by the Director;

“cargo ship” means a ship other than a passenger ship;

“certified to carry passengers”, in relation to a ship, means certified under the Navigation (Survey and Equipment) Regulations to carry more than twelve passengers;

“length”, in relation to a ship, means registered length;

“motor ship” means a ship propelled by internal combustion engines;

“passenger ship”, “passenger steamship”, and “passenger sailing ship”, mean respectively a ship, steamship or sailing ship which carries or is certified to carry more than twelve passengers;

“person” means a person over the age of one year;

“sailing ship” means a ship equipped with sails as the principal means of propulsion and includes a ship equipped with sails and with auxiliary mechanical propulsion power for use during light winds and calms;

“sea-going” means proceeding beyond partially smooth water limits as determined by a Deputy Director;

“steamship” means a ship using steam engines or other machinery as the principal means of propulsion;

“surveyor” means a person appointed under the Navigation Act to survey ships and their equipment;

“the Navigation Act” means the Navigation Act 1912-1935, and includes that Act as amended from time to time.

Application of Regulations.

6.—(1.) These Regulations shall apply to all ships registered in Australia or licensed to engage in the coasting trade, and to ships not registered in Australia which take on board passengers in Australian ports.

(2.) These Regulations shall not apply to ships trading exclusively within the limits of a single State.

Part II.—Classification of Ships.

Classification of ships.

7. For the purpose of these Regulations, ships shall be classified as follows:—

Class A.—Sea-going steamships and motor ships.

Class B.—Sea-going sailing ships.

Class C.—Small motor ships plying in smooth water or rivers or estuaries.

Class D.—River Murray steamships.

Part III.—Equipment of Ships with Fire Appliances.

Division 1.—General.

Fire appliances to be available for immediate use.

8. All fire extinguishing apparatus and appliances required to be carried on any ship to which these Regulations apply shall be complete and in working order and available for immediate use before the ship leaves port and at all times during the voyage.

Chemical fire extinguishers.

9.—(1) The chemical fire extinguishers required by these Regulations shall be apparatus of an approved portable fluid type.

(2.) Except in cases where the approval of the Director has been obtained, the extinguishers on any ship shall not be of more than two kinds. They shall be kept where likely to prove most serviceable in cases of emergency, and on each extinguisher there shall be printed instructions regarding its use, the maker’s name, and a dated guarantee as to the sufficiency of the extinguisher for the pressure generated when it is put into use.

(3.) All extinguishers shall, at least once in four years, be discharged and tested by hydraulic pressure to 300 lb. per square inch and marked with the date of such test.

(4.) At least two spare charges for each type of extinguisher carried in a ship shall be included in the ship’s equipment for recharging any extinguisher which has been discharged for any purpose.

Annual examination of appliances.

10.—(1.) The fire-extinguishing appliances on all ships to which these Regulations apply shall at all times be kept in good order and condition and shall be thoroughly examined by a surveyor at least once in every twelve months.

(2.) The examination required by the last preceding sub-regulation shall be carried out in accordance with the latest relevant instructions to surveyors issued by the Board of Trade of the United Kingdom.

Fire appliances approved by the Board of Trade.

11. For the purposes of these Regulations, a fire appliance of any type which has been approved by the Board of Trade of the United Kingdom shall be deemed to be approved by the Director.

Division 2.—Sea-going Steamships and Motor Ships.

Patrols on Class A passenger ships.

12.—(1.) On every passenger ship of Class A an efficient patrol system organized by the Master shall be maintained in order that any outbreak of fire may be promptly detected.

(2.) The surveyor responsible for the survey of the fire appliances in the passenger accommodation in any such ship shall satisfy himself, before signing his declaration of survey, that satisfactory arrangements have been made by the Master for the maintenance of the patrol system required by this regulation.

Automatic fire detecting system—Class A passenger ships.

13. Every passenger ship of Class A engaged on an international voyage shall be provided with an approved fire alarm or fire detecting system which will automatically indicate or register, at one or more points or stations in the ship where it can be most quickly observed by the ship’s officers and crew, the presence or indication of fire in any part of the ship which is not accessible to the patrol system required by the last preceding regulation.

Apparatus to provide that two powerful jets of water can be simultaneously brought to bear on the various decks and spaces.

14. Every ship of Class A shall be equipped, to the satisfaction of the surveyor, with apparatus whereby at least two powerful jets of water can be rapidly and simultaneously brought to bear upon any part of each deck or space occupied by passengers or crew when the watertight and fire-resisting doors are closed, and upon any part of the store rooms, boiler rooms and cargo, machinery and bunker spaces:

Provided that, in the case of a cargo ship under 500 tons gross register, it shall be sufficient compliance with this regulation if apparatus is provided to enable one powerful jet of water to bear on such rooms or spaces.

Fire pumps.

15.—(1.) Every ship of Class A of 4,000 tons gross tonnage and upwards shall be provided with at least three fire pumps operated by steam or other means, and every such ship of under 4,000 tons gross tonnage with at least two such fire pumps:

Provided that, in the case of a cargo ship under 1,000 tons gross register, the Director may, in his discretion, accept one such fire pump as a sufficient compliance with this regulation.

(2.) Each of the fire pumps shall be capable of delivering such quantity of water as the Director deems sufficient in two powerful jets simultaneously in any part of the ship.

(3.) Each of the fire pumps shall be provided with effective escape valves suitably adjusted and so placed as to prevent excessive pressure in any part of the water-service system.

(4.) Where, under this regulation, more than two fire pumps are to be provided, they shall not all be fitted in the same space.

(5.) If, in ships in which the main boilers are oil-fired, the engine and boiler rooms are not entirely separated by a steel bulkhead, and fuel oil can drain from the boiler room bilges into the engine room, one of the fire pumps shall be situated in the tunnel or in some other space outside the machinery compartment.

Water—service pipes.

16.—(1.) In order to convey the water from the fire pumps, every ship of Class A shall be provided fore and aft with water-service pipes of ample size and made of suitable material to the satisfaction of the Director.

(2.) The water-service pipes shall be provided with branches to the various compartments in which the passengers and crew are carried.

(3.) The water-service pipes shall be fitted with hydrants or couplings so disposed on each deck that two single lengths of fire hose may be easily and quickly coupled thereto and two powerful jets of water simultaneously directed to any part of any compartment, when the bulkhead and fire-resisting doors are closed.

(4.) The water-service pipes shall be provided with release cocks or valves which will enable the water supply to be controlled while the pumps are at work.

(5.) Attention shall be given frequently to the extreme ends of branches of the water-service pipes in order to prevent them from becoming choked with sediment or other foreign matter. At annual surveys the surveyor shall require a hose to be coupled to the extreme end of each branch and the pipe-line to be tested under full pressure from the pump.

Fire hoses.

17.—(1.) At least two hoses shall be kept available for use on the weather deck of every ship of Class A and one spare hose shall also be carried:

Provided that, in the case of a steamship under 500 tons gross register, the minimum requirements shall be one hose for use and one spare hose.

(2.) When passengers are accommodated between decks, at least two additional fire hoses shall be provided in respect of each water-tight compartment in which passenger accommodation is situated between decks.

(3.) Fire hoses shall be of leather, seamless hemp or flax canvas of first-class quality or other approved material. The hoses shall be in lengths of about 60 feet and shall be supplied with suitable metal couplings and nozzles.

(4.) Fire hoses shall not be used for any purpose other than for extinguishing fires or for testing the apparatus at fire drills and surveys.

(5.) Working wash-deck hose shall not be acceptable as fire hose.

Fire buckets.

18.—(1.) Fire buckets shall be provided on Class A ships as follows:—

(a) In the case of passenger ships of 1,000 tons gross register and upwards and cargo ships of 2,000 tons gross register and upwards—at least 12 fire buckets; and

(b) In the case of passenger ships of under 1,000 tons gross register and cargo ships of under 2,000 tons gross register —at least 6 fire buckets.

(2.) The fire buckets required by this regulation to be carried shall be kept filled with water and placed ready for use in case of emergency.

Portable fire extinguishers.

19.—(1.) Subject to regulations 23 and 24 of these Regulations, a ship of Class A shall be equipped with portable chemical fire extinguishers as follows:—

(a) On each deck of each compartment in which passengers are accommodated, at least two extinguishers shall be carried: Provided that it shall not be compulsory for more than one extinguisher to be carried on a deck of a compartment if the extinguisher is installed in a ‘thwartship passageway or open space about the middle of the length of the compartment;

(b) In the spaces occupied by the crew, at least three extinguishers shall be carried;

(c) In each of the boiler rooms and machinery spaces of ships the main boilers of which are coal-fired, at least two extinguishers shall be carried:

Provided that, in the case of a cargo ship under 500 tons gross register, it shall not be compulsory for more than one extinguisher to be carried in each of such rooms and spaces;

Provided also that, except in the case of a passenger ship engaged on an international voyage, the Director may exempt a ship from the requirements of this paragraph as to the number of extinguishers to be carried in the boiler room.

(2.) Where passengers are carried in enclosed spaces above the upper deck, at least one portable chemical fire extinguisher, in addition to any other fire-extinguishing equipment required by these Regulations, shall be fitted on each side of such spaces at intervals of 60 feet or thereabouts:

Provided that it shall not be compulsory for more than one extinguisher to be carried in any such space if the extinguisher is placed in a central position so as to be available for use on either side of the ship.

Smoke helmets and safety lamps.

20.—(1.) Every ship of Class A plying on an international voyage shall be provided with at least two approved equipments, each consisting of a breathing apparatus or smoke helmet and a safety lamp of approved type:

Provided that it shall not be compulsory for a cargo ship under 2,000 tons gross register to be provided with more than one smoke helmet and one safety lamp of approved type.

(2) Every ship of Class A, not plying on an international voyage, shall be provided with the equipment set out in the following Table:—

Gross tonnage of ship.	Smoke Helmets.	Safety Lamp.
Passenger ships—
Over 300 but not exceeding 1,000 tons..............	1	1
Over 1,000 tons................................................	2	1
Cargo ships—
Over 300 but not exceeding 4,000 tons................	1	1
Over 4,000 tons.................................................	2	1

(3.) The equipment required under this regulation shall be stowed under protection from the weather and available for immediate use, and, when two equipment are carried, they shall be installed in widely separated places on the ship.

Axe to be carried.

21.—(1.) Every ship of Class A shall be provided with an axe of a type approved by the surveyor.

(2.) The axe shall be accommodated in either the chart-room, wheelhouse or companion-way of the ship so as to be immediately available in case of emergency.

Fire smothering gas in cargo spaces

22. (1.) Every passenger ship of Class A which is of 1,000 tons gross register and upwards and is engaged on an international voyage and every passenger ship of Class A which is of 2,000 tons gross register and upwards and is not engaged on an international voyage shall be provided with apparatus whereby fire-smothering gas sufficient to give a minimum volume of free gas equal to 30 per centum of the gross volume of the largest hold in the ship can be promptly conveyed by a permanent piping system into every compartment in which cargo is carried:

Provided that, in the case of any such ships propelled by steam engines, the Director may allow the use of steam in place of smothering gas if he is satisfied that a volume of steam equivalent to the volume of gas required by this regulation will always be available.

(2.) Every cargo ship of Class A of 2,000 tons gross register and upwards built after the date of commencement of these Regulations shall be provided with satisfactory means whereby steam or fire smothering gas may be conveyed to each closed-in cargo compartment.

Class A oil fired ships—boiler-room and machinery space the equipment.

23.—(1.) Every steamship of Class A in which the main boilers are oil-fired shall be provided with the following equipment in addition to the equipment specified in regulation 14:—

(a) Suitable conductors for spraying water on oil without undue disturbance of the surface.

(b) A receptacle, in each firing space, containing at least 10 cubic feet of sand, sawdust impregnated with soda, or other approved dry materials, and scoops for distributing such material.

(c) Two approved portable extinguishers constructed to discharge froth, or other approved medium suitable for quenching oil fires, in each boiler room and in each of the machinery spaces in which a part of the oil fuel installation is situated.

(d) Apparatus whereby froth can be rapidly discharged and distributed over the whole of the lower part of the boiler room or of any one boiler room, if there are more than one, or of any machinery space in which oil fuel units or settling tanks are situated. The quantity of froth which can be discharged shall be sufficient to cover to a depth of 6 inches the whole area of the plating formed in any one compartment by the inner bottom plating, or by the shell plating of the vessel if there is no double bottom tank. If the engine and boiler rooms are not entirely separate, and fuel oil can drain from the boiler room bilges into the engine room, the combined engine and boiler rooms shall be considered as one compartment. The apparatus shall be operated and controlled from outside the compartments into which it is required to discharge froth.

(e) One extinguisher constructed to discharge froth of at least 30 gallons capacity in the case of ships having one boiler room, and two such extinguishers in the case of ships with more than one boiler room. These extinguishers shall be provided with hoses on reels suitable for reaching any part of the boiler rooms and spaces containing oil fuel pumping units.

(2.) Every container forming part of an extinguisher, and every valve by which the container is operated shall be easily accessible and so placed that it will not readily be cut off from use by an outbreak of fire.

Class A motor ships—machinery space fire equipment.

24.—(1.) Every motor ship of Class A shall carry the equipment specified in paragraph (a) of sub-regulation (1.) of the last preceding regulation, in addition to that specified in regulation 14, and there shall be provided in each of the machinery spaces at least one approved 10-gallon extinguisher constructed to discharge froth and also one approved 2-gallon extinguisher constructed to discharge froth for each 1,000 B.H.P. of the engines but the total number of 2-gallon extinguishers so provided shall not be less than two and need not exceed six.

(2.) If in any such ship a donkey boiler is situated in a machinery space, there shall be provided in that space, in place of the 10-gallon extinguisher required by sub-regulation (1.) of this regulation, an extinguisher of 30 gallons capacity, fitted with suitable hose attachments or other approved means for distributing the froth.

Division 3.—Sea-going Sailing Ships.

Sailing ships of 1,000 tons and upwards certified to carry passengers.

25. Every sea-going passenger sailing ship of 1,000 tons gross register and upwards shall be provided with—

(a) a power pump for supplying water to arrange of pipes extending fore and aft the ship, and having at suitable intervals branches to which a fire hose may be readily coupled, and, in addition, a hand pump for supplying water to an independent fire hose;

(b) at least two fire hoses, which shall be so arranged that two powerful jets of water may rapidly and simultaneously be brought to bear on any part of the ship;

(c) twelve fire buckets which shall be kept filled with water and ready for use in case of emergency;

(d) portable chemical fire extinguishers as required for sea-going passenger steamships:

Provided that it shall not be compulsory to provide more than four chemical fire extinguishers; and

(e) an axe of a type approved by the surveyor.

Sailing ships of 1,000 tons and upwards not certified to carry passengers.

26. A sea-going sailing ship of 1,000 tons grass register and upwards, not certified to carry passengers, shall be provided with—

(a) an efficient hand or power pump, approved by the surveyor, together with a fire hose adapted to reach all parts of the vessel;

(b) not less than six fire buckets which shall be kept filled with water and ready for use in case of emergency;

(c) at least three portable chemical fire extinguishers available for immediate use in the spaces occupied by the officers and crew; and

(d) an axe of a type approved by the surveyor.

Sailing ships over 500 tons.

27. Every sea-going sailing ship of over 500 tons but under 1,000 tons gross register shall be provided with—

(a) a fixed or portable hand pump, approved by the surveyor, having suitable suction and delivery hose with metal conductor;

(b) not less than four fire buckets, which shall be kept filled with water and ready for use in case of emergency;

(c) not less than two portable chemical fire extinguishers available for immediate use in any part of the vessel; and

(d) an axe of a type approved by the surveyor.

Sailing ships not more than 500 tons.

28. Every sea-going sailing ship of not more than 500 tons gross register shall be equipped as provided in the last preceding regulation:

Provided that in any such ship—

(a) it shall not be compulsory to provide the fixed or portable hand pump and hose;

(b) if the pump is not provided, two additional fire buckets shall be provided; and

(c) it shall not be compulsory to provide more than one chemical fire extinguisher for use on deck or in spaces occupied by the crew.

Sailing ships fitted with auxiliary propelling machinery.

29.—(1.) A sailing ship of Class B which is equipped with internal combustion auxiliary machinery consuming oil of a flash point of not less than 150° F. shall comply with the requirements of this Division, and with regulations 23 and 24 of these Regulations, and shall be equipped, to the satisfaction of the surveyor, with a box containing sand, sawdust impregnated with soda, or other approved dry material and a scoop for distributing such material.

(2.) Where a sailing ship to which this regulation applies is constructed of wood or is a ship in which the flash point of the oil used as fuel is lower than 150° F., the Director may require such equipment to be provided, in lieu of or in addition to that required under the last preceding sub-regulation, as he considers necessary to meet the special circumstances.

Division 4.—Small Motor Ships plying in Smooth Water or Rivers or Estuaries.

Buckets and balers—Class C ships.

30. Every ship of Class C shall be provided with such number of buckets and balers as the Deputy Director deems sufficient and such buckets and balers shall be placed in convenient and accessible positions on the ship so as to be readily available in case of fire:

Provided that the minimum requirement shall be one bucket kept filled with water for the purpose of extinguishing fires and one bucket or other suitable utensil for use as a baler.

Sand—Class C ships.

31. Every ship of Class C shall be provided, to the satisfaction of the surveyor, with a box containing a suitable quantity of sand, sawdust impregnated with soda or other approved dry materials, and a scoop for distributing such material.

Fire extinguishers—Class C ships.

32.—(1.) Subject to this regulation, every ship of Class C shall be provided with approved fire extinguishers in accordance with the following scale:—

(a) In the case of open motor ships not exceeding 30 feet in length—Two tetrachloride fluid extinguishers of the hand pump type and one froth or foam fluid extinguisher, each of a capacity of at least one gallon;

(b) In the case of open motor ships over 30 feet, but not exceeding 50 feet in length—Two tetrachloride fluid extinguishers of the hand pump type and two froth or foam fluid extinguishers, each of a capacity of at least one gallon;

(c) In the case of open motor ships over 50 feet, but not exceeding 70 feet in length—Three tetrachloride fluid extinguishers of the hand pump type and two froth or foam fluid extinguishers, each of a capacity of at least two gallons;

(d) In the case of open motor ships over 70 feet in length—Such number of tetrachloride and froth or foam fluid extinguishers and of such size as the Deputy Director, having regard to the length of the vessel, deems sufficient, being not less than the number specified in the last preceding paragraph.

(2.) Subject to the next succeeding sub-regulation, every decked motor ship of Class C which is over 70 feet in length, and is propelled by internal combustion engines consuming oil of a flash point of not less than 150° F. shall, in addition to such other requirements as are deemed necessary by the Director, be provided in each of the machinery spaces with at least two approved 2-gallon extinguishers constructed to discharge froth, or if the machinery spaces can be rapidly and completely closed, with such number of tetrachloride or other approved extinguishers as the Deputy Director deems necessary.

(3.) In the case of a wooden decked motor ship of Class C, and of a decked motor ship of Class C which is over 70 feet in length and is propelled by internal combustion engines consuming oil of a flash point which is lower than 150° F., the Deputy Director may require such equipment to be provided, in lieu of or in addition to that required under these Regulations for a ship of its size and class as he considers necessary to secure the safety of the ship and its passengers.

(4.) Every decked motor ship of Class C shall, in addition to any other equipment required under this regulation, be provided with—

(a) one fire pump (hand or power); and

(b) one approved portable fluid fire extinguisher in each crew or passenger compartment.

(5.) The fire extinguishers required by this regulation to be carried shall be placed in positions ready for immediate use, and, where more than one extinguisher is carried, one shall be placed at each end of the ship.

(6.) The men in charge of the ship shall be fully acquainted with the method of using the fire-extinguishing apparatus, and, where practicable, they shall be present when tests are being made by the surveyors.

(7.) Permanent instructions shall be attached to each fire-extinguishing apparatus showing how it is to be operated and whether the apparatus may be stowed in any position or in a certain specified position only.

Division 5.—River Murray Steamships.

River Murray passenger steamships.

33. Every passenger steamship plying on the River Murray shall be provided with the following equipment:—

(a) An efficient fire pump, approved by the surveyor, together with a fire hose, not less than l½ inches in diameter, in one or more lengths, fitted with a nozzle, capable of supplying a forceful supply of water to any part of the vessel;

(b) Not less than four fire buckets, which shall be kept filled with water and ready for use in case of emergency; and

(c) One chemical fire extinguisher, for use on deck or in spaces occupied by the crew and passengers, for every 100 persons, or part thereof, the ship is certified to carry, and one such extinguisher in the machinery space.

River Murray cargo steamships.

34. Every cargo steamship plying on the River Murray shall be equipped as provided in regulation 33, except that, in the case of a cargo vessel of less than 100 tons gross register, it shall not be compulsory to provide a fire pump if two additional fire buckets are carried.

Part IV.—Miscellaneous.

Alternative appliances.

35. Where, under these Regulations, a particular fitting, appliance, or apparatus or type thereof, is required to be fitted or carried in a ship, or any particular provision is to be made in a ship, the Minister may allow any other fitting, appliance or apparatus, or type thereof, to be fitted or carried or any other provision to be made if he is satisfied that that other fitting, appliance or apparatus, or type thereof, or provision, is at least as effective as that required by these Regulations.

Special exemption for ships built before 1st July, 1931.

36. The Minister may, on such conditions as he thinks fit, exempt any ship constructed before the 1st July, 1931 (not being a steam ship in respect of which exemption can be granted under the provisions of sub-section (1.) of section 216 of the Navigation Act) from any of the requirements of these Regulations, if he is satisfied that that requirement is either impracticable or unreasonable in the case of that ship.

Exemption of small ships in special cases.

37. Where the Director is satisfied that, with respect to a vessel under 100 tons gross register not engaged on international voyages, any requirement of these Regulations is, in the special circumstances of the case, unnecessary to secure the safety of the vessel or of the persons on board, he may, by writing under his hand, exempt the vessel from compliance with that requirement.

Special provisions in the case of small ships.

38. Where the Director considers that, owing to special circumstances, the provisions of these Regulations are not sufficient to secure the safety of any vessel under 100 tons gross register or of the persons on board, he may, by notice in writing to the owner or Master of the vessel, specify such additional provisions as he considers to be reasonably necessary for that purpose, and thereupon those additional provisions shall be complied with by that vessel.

Emergency appliances.

39. Every ship shall be provided with such outfit of emergency fire appliances replacements as the Director deems sufficient.

 

By Authority: L. F. Johnston, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.